The Damu Sasa inter-facility collaboration seminar brought together leading hospitals in Nairobi and its environs to discuss, among other things, collaboration with respect to blood services. Further, participants examined and proposed ways in which they could leverage technology to enhance the collaboration to improve outcomes with respect to blood transfusion related cases.
The workshop, whose keynote address was by Dr. Meshack Ndirangu, the Kenya Country Director of Amref Health Africa, saw participants freely discuss their experiences in the use of the Damu Sasa technology.
The discussions not only brought clarity on how to use the technology but also generously suggested means of improvements, both in collaboration and use of the Damu Sasa platform.
Dr. Ndirangu pointed out the need for improving the quality of healthcare delivery through better use of modern tools and techniques for healthcare management. In this respect, he pointed out the benefits of collaboration and adoption of tools to enhance efficiency and effectiveness of blood services.
Saying he was impressed by the breadth of participation, Dr. Ndirangu expressed the hope that such forums would be held more frequently as a means of sharing experiences and strengthening healthcare personnel networks.
Speaking at the same event, Dr. Kibet Shikuku, a hematology specialist and healthcare researcher, praised the efforts being made with the adoption of technology for healthcare delivery. He added that, “technologies such as the Damu Sasa platform have the potential to revolutionize healthcare delivery and, in this case blood services management in Kenya.” “The collaborative capabilities of the platform contribute towards improving patient outcomes,” adding that the workshop presented an excellent opportunity for healthcare facilities to come together and optimize its use.”
Ms.Catherine Ongeti of Africa Healthcare Network, discussed the essence and need for greater collaboration and identified some barriers to the process. She said that “healthcare personnel are focused on serving the same ‘person’: the patient. As such, she added, “healthcare personnel should do everything possible to meet that objective.” Nothing should hinder healthcare personnel from achieving that objective. In the process she expressed how proud she felt to have been in an organization that was the first client to adopt the Damu Sasa system for blood services.
Seminar participants rose to the occasion and proposed practical ways of improving not just blood services management but also ways in which technology can better help them improve patient outcomes. In this respect, some expressed the need for portable medical records that would be securely accessible from anywhere and by authorized personnel.
Damu Sasa System Limited Executive Chairman, Dr. Matunda Nyanchama, who also graced the event expressed the organization’s commitment to supporting the facilities in the technology uptake.
He expressed the openness of the company to suggestions coming from the health facilities.
Damu Sasa co-founder, Aaron Ogunde walked the participants through the use of the platform and in the process demonstrated the broad capabilities available for system users. He urged them to optimize the system’s use for purposes of enhancing outcomes.
The Damu Sasa Inter-facility Collaboration Seminar was a pivotal moment in improving blood services management among the participating facilities who also expressed the need to have broader facilities representation in the future. With the adoption of recommendations from the workshop and increased collaboration among facilities, the seminar has set the stage for major improvements in blood services management among facilities; as one participant said, “this is a model for further engagement in, not only blood services management but also in other aspects of healthcare delivery.
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